User friendly dispensers

ABSTRACT

A user friendly system that permits an unskilled person to quickly add dispersant material to a fluid system with the user friendly system utilizing operator evident dispersant carriers such as drawers, hangars or insertable cartridges.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent applicationtitled DISPENSER System U.S. Ser. No. 10/636,821 filed Aug. 7, 2003, nowU.S. Pat. No. 7,052,615, which claims priority from provisionalapplication titled DISPENSER Ser. No. 60/432,189 filed Dec. 10, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to dispenser systems and, morespecifically, to user friendly dispenser systems that permit anuntrained operator to readily add a dispersant material to the dispensersystem.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

None

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The concept of fluid treatment systems is generally known in the art. MyU.S. Pat. No. 6,471,858 discloses a system where a dispenser iscantilevered mounted in a chamber of a sand filter to dispense materialsinto the fluid. My U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,900 discloses a kit and a methodfor converting a water circulation system to a water circulation andpurification system where cartridges are held in a housing and fluid isflowed around the cartridges which are held in a housing.

The present invention includes dispensing system that are user friendlythat permit an unskilled person to quickly add the proper amount ofdispersant to a fluid system

The system includes a dispensing system wherein dispenser cartridges canbe quickly and interchangeably placed into a fluid system with thesystem configured such that a person changing the dispenser cartridgesis not accidentally exposed to a jet of high pressure liquid.

Another feature is that if the dispenser cartridges are used they can beplaced in a dispenser holder that allows one to remove all of thedispenser cartridges as a unit but allows one to replace only thosedispenser cartridges that are spent.

One of desirable aspects of a dispensing system is that one should beable to control the amount of dispersant that is introduced into thefluid under different conditions. For example, in a hot tub one may wantto release the dispersant at a first rate to maintain the properconcentration of dispersant in the hot tub if no one is using the hottub. On the other hand, if many persons are using the hot tub one willwant to increase the dispersant rate in order to maintain the properconcentration of dispersant in the hot tub. Similar conditions occur inother commercial applications where the concentration of the dispersantin the fluid dissipates due to internal or external factors. In theseconditions one may want to have a higher dispersal rate to compensatefor higher consumption of dispersants. Still in other situations one mayhave different dispersant materials that need to be dispersed atdifferent rates yet both the dispersal rates may need to besimultaneously increased or decreased depending on the operatingconditions Consequently, the dispersal system should enable a user topredictably deliver different dispersal rates for different conditionsand to change the deliver rate for one or more dispensers that arecontained within the system.

The various embodiment of the invention includes a fluid dispersantsystem utilizing dispersant cartridges or dispenser drawers, dispersantfountains that enable one to add dispersant material to a system in amanner that allows one to predictably control the dispersant rate into afluid by controlling the flow pattern past a dispensable material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A user friendly system that permits an unskilled person to quickly adddispersant material to a fluid system with the user friendly systemutilizing operator evident dispersant carriers such as drawers, hangarsor insertable cartridges.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cutaway view of a dispenser system having a container anddispenser for dispensing materials into the fluid in the container;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cartridge for use in the dispensersystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a cartridge carrier for holding one or morecartridges in the dispenser chamber in the dispensing system of FIG. 1;and

FIG. 4 is a side view of a cartridge carrier of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the cartridge carrier of FIG. 3illustrating the flexible ears that permit lateral insertion of acartridge therein;

FIG. 6 shows an isolated view of a housing for peripherally introducinga fluid into the housing chamber;

FIG. 7 is a pictorial view of a dispenser housing head for securing tothe dispenser housing of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a pictorial view of a dispenser housing locking nut forsecuring the dispenser housing head to a panel on the system;

FIG. 9 is a dispenser housing cap for securement to the dispenserhousing head shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a dispenser housing locking cam for securing in the dispenserhousing of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 shows an exploded view of a dispenser system positionedproximate a panel;

FIG. 12 is a pictorial view of the handle and locking mechanism on acartridge carrier;

FIG. 13 is a cross section view of a cartridge dispenser suspended in acylindrical chamber;

FIG. 14 is a graph of dispersant concentration as a function of timewith the cartridge dispenser suspended in the cylindrical fluid chamberof FIG. 13:

FIG. 15 is partial cross sectional view of a dispensing drawer in afluid circulation system;

FIG. 16 shows the dispensing drawer of FIG. 15 in a partially opencondition;

FIG. 16A is an end view of the dispensing drawer of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 shows the dispensing drawer of FIG. 15 in the open condition;

FIG. 18 shows a dispensing drawer mounted in a low pressure region of afluid circulation system;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a dispensing drawer;

FIG. 20 is a front view of a dispensing cartridge for placing in thedispensing drawer of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a front view of a dispersant for placing in the dispensingdrawer of FIG. 19;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view of the dispensing drawer of FIG. 19 takenalong lines 5—5;

FIG. 23 is a partial section view of a fluid circulation system having afountain dispenser for placing dispersant therein;

FIG. 24 is a partial front view of a hanging dispenser; and

FIG. 25 is a partial side view showing the hanging dispenser of FIG. 24suspend on the ledge of a container for a fluid circulation system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention includes a user friendly apparatus and method forreplenishing spent dispersant material. In one embodiment one pulls outa dispensing compartment in the manner one pulls out a drawer. Once openthe dispensing material can be placed in the dispensing drawer and thedrawer closed to bring the system to dispensing condition. In antherembodiment a dispensing compartment can be hung from the side of thecontainer and in a further embodiment a fountain like dispenser thatallows one to place the dispersant material into the fountain likedispenser so the dispensable material can be flow carried throughout thesystem.

FIG. 1 is a cutaway view showing a dispenser system 10 with an outerhousing 11 having an inner container 11 a partially filled with a fluidsuch as water 25. Typically, system 10 can be used in a pool, spa orother fluid container where fluid treatment is required. For example,the system can be used for the water that is used either for work,pleasure or for drinking.

In the embodiment shown the container 11 a is configured in a spa modewith an inlet 30 positioned to draw water into an inlet pipe 29 througha pump 27. Pump 27 increases the pressure of the water and forces thewater in fluid conduit 28 on the outlet side of the pump to dischargeunder high pressure as a high pressure jet at underwater port 28 a. Thehigh pressure fluid jet can provide multiple functions, for example, ina hot tub, the high pressure fluid jet produced by the pump systemcirculates the water in the hot tub thus ensuring that the waterpurification materials are dispersed throughout the tub. In addition,the high pressure jet produced by the pump system can also provide awater massages as a user sits in the tub. A further use of a portion ofthe stream of fluid can occur when fluid is diverted to a dispensinghousing to allow the fluid to flows past a dispersant material that iscontained in the dispenser housing.

In the present invention the high pressure line 28 is in fluidcommunication with a dispenser 19 which is mounted in the housing 11.Dispenser 19 comprises a housing that contains a dispenser inlet 14 witha fluid restriction 15 in the form of a small aperture with a crosssectional flow diameter on the order of 0.010 of an inch while the crosssectional flow diameter of the line 28 and nozzle outlet 28 a may be twoinches or more. It will be appreciated that the cross sectional area orsize of the aperture 15 and the cross sectional area or size line 28 canbe scaled up or down to accommodate various flow conditions but that theratio of the difference in cross sectional area produces a low pressureregion in the dispenser. Thus, in the present invention, a purpose ofthe restriction 15 is to limit the volume flow of high pressure waterinto chamber 16 in the dispenser 19 but still provide for flow of waterat a lower pressure through chamber 16.

In the embodiments shown in FIG. 1 the dispenser 19 contains an opendispersant chamber 16 for placing or retaining dispersant materialstherein. That is, cap 13 can be removed and typical materials such asbromine sticks 17 can be dropped in chamber 16. Located in the bottomportion of chamber 16 in dispenser 19 are the water purificationmaterials 17 or other fluid treatment materials. In one embodimentdissolvable materials 17 such as halogens and particularly halogens suchas bromine or chlorine tablets are placed directly into chamber 16 byremoval of cap 13 which threadingly engages a male thread on dispenser19. In operation of the system of FIG. 1, the top inlet 14 of dispenser19 receives water under high pressure but low volume flow since only asmall amount of water can flow through the restriction 15. With the cap13 on dispenser 9 the pressure in the chamber 16 rises sufficient toforce water to flow, albeit at a slow velocity, through the dispenserchamber 16 and into the container 11 a through outlet 21. As shown inFIG. 1 dispenser 19 includes an air pocket 16 a above the water line 18of the water in the dispenser 19. It should be understood that the topend 19 a of dispenser is located above the water line 26 in thecontainer 11 a and that the bottom discharge port offers littleresistance to fluid returning to container 11 a. Consequently, if thecap 13 is not on the dispenser 13 the water will not flow out ofdispenser 19 but will seek its own level, namely the level indicated bywater line 26 in container 11 a since there is little resistance to flowof water out of the port 21 in dispenser 19.

A further feature of the invention is that the liquid level in thedispenser 19, which is indicated by reference numeral 18 and the airpocket 16 a combine to provide a reservoir or chamber for fluid. Thatis, the water flows in the directions indicated by arrows in FIG. 1. Thewater flows through chamber 16 and out passage 20 and is discharged intocontainer 11 a through port 21 which is located below the water line 26.The egress passage 20 is characterized by having a substantially largerdiameter than the diameter of the restrictor 15 so as not to impede theflow of water therethrough. As a result, the high pressure low volumeflow of water entering the dispenser 16 is forced through the dispenser19 and into the bottom of the container 11 a where the dischargepressure is primarily determined by the depth of the water “h” below thewater line. The presence of the air pocket 16 a ensures that if the capis removed it will be air that escapes from the dispenser rather thanthe fluid in the chamber. The maintenance of an air pocket in thedispenser housing insures that the fluid level in the system will bebelow the top of the dispenser housing so that removal of cap 13 willnot cause fluid to spill from the housing.

Thus in the present system the water discharges into a low pressureregion in the bottom of container 11 a. If someone should accidentallyremove cap 13 the pressure of water entering into the dispenser arrivesat a low volume flow with the stream of water directed away from the topopening 19 a to prevent any water or dispenser materials from beingblown back at the person as the cap 13 is removed. In addition, the airpocket 16 a can provide a reservoir chamber to absorb water flowing intothe dispenser 19. That is, even with the outlet 21 blocked there is atime lag of several minutes before the water would flow out the top ofdispenser 19 thus giving a person time to shut off the recirculationsystem.

In normal operation, the pressure in air pocket 16 a may rise slightlydue to the fluid circulation resistance through the dispenser 19 andcause the air pocket 16 a to compress slightly, however, once the cap 13is removed the water level 18 in the dispenser 19 may rise slightly butunder normally conditions the flow will continue to circulate throughthe dispenser since the fluid resistance to water discharging out thetop 19 a of the dispenser 19 is maintained at greater fluid resistancethan the fluid resistance to water flowing though the dispenser 19 andback into the container 11 a. In other words, the inlet 15 and theoutlet 20 are sized such that if the water under pressure continues tocome into the dispenser chamber 16 when the cap 13 is removed the waterin the dispenser 19 will not rise over the top of the dispenser housingand spill out of the dispenser 19. That is, even though a slightincrease in the water level 18 can occur water continues to flow throughdispenser 19 and back into the container 11 a thereby ensuring thatunnecessary spills are avoided.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention a removable cartridge orremovable cartridges are placed in a cartridge holder that is removablypositioned in a dispenser housing. FIG. 2 shows a front view of acartridge dispenser 40 for receiving a typical fluid treatment materialsuch as water purification material. Cartridge 40 comprises an outersleeve 41 that is rotatable positioned with respect to an innercontainer 42 which contains a dispersant 39. A pair of elongatedopenings 41 a allow fluid to flow enter container 42 through theopenings 43 a. Located in the bottom of container 42 is a dispersantmaterial 39 such as minerals or the like which are used to treat water.Minerals 39 are different from chlorine or bromine tablets and the likewhich dissolve as they are used as minerals which do not dissolve needto be removed once the minerals have been spent. Thus the cartridge 40comprises a dispersant holder that can be removed from a dispenserhousing and replaced with a fresh cartridge. If desired cartridge 40 canbe provided with a flotation chamber 45 that is attached directly to thecartridge 40 so the cartridge will float to the top of the dispenserchamber 16 for easy access and thus removal.

In another embodiment of the invention a cartridge dispenser is carriedby a cartridge holder. FIG. 3 shows a cartridge carrier or cartridgeholder 50 for holding one or more cartridges in an end to end condition.Cartridge carrier 50 includes a handle 51 and an open body skeletonhousing 60 having elongated flexible circumferential edges or ears 60 aand 60 b as part of the skeleton housing. The purpose of the skeletonhousing is to allow water to flow through the skeleton housing and intoand out of the cartridge held therein while at the same time provide aconvenient tool for holding the cartridges in position in the dispenserhousing and for removing the cartridges from the dispenser housing.Carrier 50 contains a first circumferential lip 50 a that is spaced froma second circumferential lip 50 b with a resilient sealing member suchas an O-ring 45 located between the lips to allow one to seal the top ofthe cartridge carrier 50 to the inside of a dispenser housing to preventflow past the top of the dispenser housing.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of cartridge carrier 50 revealing two ears 56and 56 a for locking the cartridge carrier 50 into a dispenser locatinghousing cam 65, which is shown in FIG. 10. Cartridge career 50 ispreferable made from a polymer plastic that is flexibly thin yetsufficiently rigid to hold dispensing cartridges therein. Carrier 50contains side openings 60 f, 60 e, 60 g and 60 h to permit ingress oregress of fluid through the skeleton housing 60. While only onecartridge dispenser 40 is shown in cartridge holder 50 additionalcartridges holder can be placed in the cartridges holder to provide fordifferent dispersants.

FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of the cartridge carrier 50 taken alonglines 55 to show the cylindrical open body skeleton housing 60 with ears60 a and 60 b being resiliently displaceable radially outward (seearrows) to allow lateral insertion of the cartridge 40 therein. A lowerstop 43 c extends around the bottom of the skeleton housing to hold thecartridge in position.

In order to hold a plurality of dispenser cartridges in a fixed positionin the cartridge holder 50 reference should be made to FIG. 3 whichshows internal circumferential bands that form a protruding partialcircumferential ridge. That is, a top circumferential ridge 44 a holdsthe top cartridge dispenser 40, a second identical partialcircumferential ridge 44 b can hold a second cartridge dispenser and athird identical partial circumferential ridge 44 c located on skeletonhousing 60 can hold a third dispensing cartridge therein. Acircumferential mating stop, such as a mating circumferential recess 40a located on cartridge 40 allow one to maintain the cartridge 40 in theproper axial location in skeleton housing 60. The flexible ears 60 a and60 b and the skeleton body 60 which flex radially outward can beconfigured to provide a slight frictional fit between the outer surfaceof the cartridge and the inner surface of the skeleton holder 60 tothereby hold the cartridge in position during insertion and removal ofthe cartridge from the dispensers as well as to avoid movement of thecartridge in the housing due to changing water conditions in thedispenser housing which could cause unnecessary noise.

FIG. 11 shows an exploded view of the portion of the dispensing systemthat is fixedly attached to a panel 70 and FIGS. 6–10 show theunassembled components for forming a dispensing system in either anexisting fluid system or a new fluid system. The cartridge holder ofFIG. 3 is placeable directly into the housing 61 shown in FIG. 6 and anisolated cross sectional view of the flow around the skeleton housingand the cartridge 12 is shown in general detail in FIG. 13.

In order to illustrate the attachment and operation of the system withdispersant cartridges reference should be made to the dispersant housingcomponents illustrated in FIGS. 6–10. The dispersant housing 61 shown inFIG. 11 contains an upper end collar 61 a for securement to a housinghead, a circumferential inlet port 61 b, a central chamber 61 d with adispenser 40 therein and a lower outlet 61 c. Dispenser housing 61 ismountable below a panel on a water system and is connected to the inletand outlets as illustrated in FIG. 1. Dispenser housing collar 61 aincludes an internal cylindrical surface 61 e for mating with adispenser housing head and an alignment notches 61 f for engaging withalignment members in the dispenser housing head 62.

FIG. 7 is a pictorial view of the dispenser housing head 62 that issecurable to the dispenser housing 61 through an adhesive or solventbonding or the like. That is, in the preferred embodiment dispenserhousing 61 and dispenser housing head 62 can be made from materials suchas a polymer plastic and can permanently secured to each other throughadhesives or the like. Dispenser housing head 62 includes acircumferential lip 62 a for securing above a panel to support thedispenser housing head thereon. Located along the body of dispenserhousing head 62 is a set of external threads 62 b, an alignment member62 d and a male cylindrical mating surface 62 c for insertion into thefemale cylindrical surface 61 e on dispenser housing 61. Located withinhousing head 62 is a set of internal threads 62 f for engagement with aremovable cover. The use of a separate dispenser housing 61 with acollar permits one to assembly the unit on a system through placement ofparts above and below the panel of the unit that is receiving thedispensing system of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a pictorial view of a dispenser housing securement nut 63having a set of internal threads 63 c, a set of hexagon lands 63 b toallow one to rotate the nut 63 and a flange 63 a for abutment against abottom side of a panel on a circulation system.

FIG. 9 is a pictorial view of a decorative cap 64 having a set ofcircumferentially spaced finger grips 64 a. Cap 64 includes a flange 64b for abutting attachment to the top of the dispenser housing head 62and a set of external male threads 64 c for engaging female threads 62 don dispenser housing head 62.

FIG. 10 is a pictorial view of the dispenser housing locking cam collar65 that is mounted in dispenser housing head 62 to enable one to lock adispenser cartridge carrier 50 in position. Cam collar 65 includes acylindrical body 65 a with openings 65 b on each side. Openings 65 bincludes a vertical slot region 65 c and a lateral slot 65 d with a lip65 e extending therein to lock a dispenser carrier therein. That is onepushes the cartridge carrier 50 (see FIG. 12) down with ears 56 and 56 alocated in alignment with the vertical; slot region 65 c and anidentical vertical slot region on the opposite side. Once lowered thecartridge carrier is rotated to cause the ears 56 and 56 a engagelateral stops 65 b and 65 c to retain the cartridge carrier therein.

FIG. 11 shows a pictorial exploded view of a panel 70 and a dispensingcartridge housing 61 to reveal the members 64, 65 and 62 are locatedabove the panel 70 and the nut 63 and dispenser housing 61 arepositioned below the panel for the in situ assembly of the unit in afluid circulation system.

A feature of the invention is that the system can be assembled on siteas an after market item or can be mounted on original equipment duringmanufacture of the water circulation system using conventionaltechniques.

FIG. 11 shows that in the first step the dispenser housing head 62 isinserted though an opening 74 in a top panel 70. Once inserted theexternal threaded section 62 b extends through the panel 70. Oncethreaded section 62 b extends through the opening in panel 70 thehousing nut 63 can be positioned on threads 62 b and tightened to firmlysecure the housing head 62 to panel 70. Thus the housing head 62 andhousing nut 63 are sandwiched around panel 70. One is now in a positionto complete the installation of the dispensing system.

With the housing head 62 secured to panel 70 the remaining componentscan be secured thereto from above and below the panel. That is, thedispenser housing 61, which is located below the panel 70, has internalmating surface 61 e, which is securable to the external dispenserhousing head cylindrical mating surface 62 c, which extends through thepanel. Preferably, the dispenser housing and dispenser housing head areformed of PVC pipe and can be joined together through the use of solventcement or the like. By permitting the securement of the dispenserhousing to the dispenser housing head below the panel, as shown in FIG.5, one can maintain a minimum size opening in the panel yet permitlateral extension 61 b on dispenser housing 61 since the dispenserhousing 61 need not pass through the opening 71 in the panel 70.

Once the dispenser housing 61 and dispenser housing head 62 are securedto each other the dispenser housing locking collar 65 can be securedinto the dispenser housing head 62, preferably through solvent cement orthe like. The dispenser housing is now in a condition for receiving acartridge carrier 50 and for locking the cartridge carrier in positiontherein.

In order to close the dispenser housing the dispenser cap 64 is securedto the female threads 62 in the dispenser housing head 62 though malethreads 64 c thereon. A sealing member such an is O-ring located beneathlip 64 b to prevents fluids from escaping therepast.

Accordingly, a feature of the present invention is that the dispenserhousing can be assembled in situ and secured to a fluid circulationsystem either in the field or as part of a manufacturing process throughthe steps of forming a hole in a panel, inserting a dispenser housinghead therein, securing the dispenser housing head with a lock nut,securing the dispenser housing to the dispenser housing head while thedispenser housing head is secured to the panel. If a locking system forthe cartridge carriers is required a locking collar can be secured todispenser housing from above the panel 70. To close off the system adispenser cap can be rotatable secured into the dispenser housing headto prevent leakage.

A feature of the present invention is that it can be incorporated into afluid system either during the manufacture of the system or as an aftermarket item. FIG. 11 shows an exploded view of the dispenser housingproximate a panel on a water system and FIGS. 6–10 show individualcomponents of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows a partial top view of the cartridge carrier 50 thatincludes a handle 51 and a cylindrical body having a first tab 56 and asecond tab 56 for forming locking engagement with the locking cam collar65 (FIG. 10).

FIG. 13 shows a cross sectional view of housing 61 with a cartridgecarrier 50 and a cartridge dispenser 40 coaxially positioned therein. Acircumferential positioned port 61 b directs the fluid between theperipheral surface 61 g and the inner cartridge carrier 50 and cartridgedispenser 40. The introduction of the fluid circumferentially induces adownward vertical flow between upper entry port 61 b and lower dischargeport 61 c. The arrows indicate the general circular flow around thedispenser housing 61 and dispenser cartridge 42 to allow the dispersantto be dispersed into the fluid in the container 10.

It has been found that by introducing fluid tangentially one can producea stable uniform flow pattern, i.e. the fluid flows uniformly past theopenings 46 and 41 a even if the flow rates are changed. By maintaininga stable flow pattern past the openings 46 and 41 a it allows one topredictably control the dispersant rate by changing the flow rate. Thatis, the faster the flow rate past the cartridge 40 the greater thedispersant rate and conversely the slower the flow rate the slower thedispersant rate.

A feature of the present invention is that not only can one predicabledetermine the dispersant rate by changing the flow rate but it has beenfound that as the number of openings are made available in the cartridgedispenser the concentration of the dispersant in the housing increasesin a predictable manner.

FIG. 14 illustrates the concentration of the dispersant on the ordinateaxis and with time on the abscissa axis. Three different curves 80, 81,and 82 are shown to illustrate the dispersant rate under different sizeaccess areas in the dispersant cartridges. That is, curve 80 is thedispersant level as a function of time for a first number of accessopenings in cartridge 40, the curve 81 is the dispersant level as afunction of time for a larger number of access opening in cartridge 40and curve 82 is the dispersant level as a function of time for a yetlarger number of access opening in cartridge 40. Thus one way to controlthe amount of dispersant is to increase the area of the openings intothe dispersant cartridge. In still another method one can increase theflow rate through the dispersant housing which also results in anincreased dispersant level. While it is not fully understood it isbelieved that use of a circumferential input eliminates instability inflow patterns that can occur when fluid streams impinge on objects. As aresult if the flow pattern remains stable one can uniformly increase ordecrease the flow rate to correspondingly increase or decrease thedispersant rate.

FIG. 15 shows a portion of a fluid circulation system 99 for a fluidcontainer such as found in spas, hot tubs, jetted bath tubs or swimmingpools and the like. The fluid circulation system includes a fluid inlet101 and a fluid outlet 102 located in a housing 100 having a chamber 110therein. A cylindrical dispensing drawer 104 is slidable mounted incylindrical chamber 110 in housing 110 with dispensing drawer 104 havinga dispensing compartment 115 for holding a dispensable material 117.Located on the exterior surface of dispensing drawer 104 is a set ofelastomer sealing members 105, 106 and 107 for maintaining thedispensing drawer 104 and the housing 100 in a sealed condition withrespect to one anther to prevent fluid flow past the dispensing drawerwhen the dispensing drawer is in an either an open or closed condition.

FIG. 15 shows the dispensing drawer 104 in the closed condition. In theclosed condition a fluid or liquid, such as water, enters fluid inlet101 and flows into chamber 115, through the dispersal material 117 inchamber 115 and out the end of drawer 104 through a one way flap valve118. In this condition fluid circulates through the chamber 115 toenable the dispensing material therein to be dispensed into the fluidstream in response to the fluid flowing through the dispensing drawer104.

FIG. 16 shows the dispensing drawer 104 as the dispensing drawer ispulled partially outward from chamber 110. In this condition the one wayvalve 118 closes and fluid flows from inlet 101 into fluid outlet 102but is prevent from flowing into the dispensing chamber 115 indispensing drawer 104 by the sealing member 107 engaging fluid outlet102.

FIG. 16A shows an end view of dispensing drawer 104 with the one wayflap valve 118 extending over openings 104 a, shown as dashed lines, toseal the openings 104 a. The top portion 118 a of flap valve is securedto drawer 104 to permit flap 118 to flex in a cantilevered fashion sothat fluid can flow out of drawer 104 when fluid enter through top port104 b. Flap valve 118 is preferably a resilient material such as anelastomer.

FIG. 17 shows the dispensing drawer 104 in the open condition. In theopen condition one can place a fresh charge of dispensable material inthe dispensing compartment 115. As can be seen in FIG. 17 fluid bypassdrawer 104 is held within housing 102 by a stop 120 comprising aflexible chain that has one end secured to drawer plate 109 and theother secured to housing 100. Stop 120 prevents the dispensing drawer104 from being forced out of chamber 102 in the event the fluid inchamber 110 remains under pressure. When the dispensing drawer 104 is inan open condition the dispensing material 117 a is placed in chamber115. The dispersant drawer 104 is then pushed in to a closed conditionwherein the dispensing material therein can be dispensed into the fluidcirculation system as illustrated in FIG. 15. Thus in the embodiment ofFIGS. 15–17 one can quickly reposition spent dispersant by pulling out adispensing drawer, placing the dispersant in the drawer and then closingthe drawer. The dispensing drawer can be mounted on either a highpressure side of a fluid circulation system or a low pressure side of afluid circulation system.

FIG. 18 shows a dispensing drawer 141, which is mounted in a lowpressure portion of the system. Drawer 141 can be pulled out to allow adispersant to be placed in the drawer 141 and the dispensing drawer thanclosed to allow the dispersant material to be dispersed into the system.

FIG. 18 also shows a partial view of a fluid system 130 having a pump131 for circulating fluid from container 133 into inlet 132 and thendirecting the fluid through a outlet 132 into a drawer housing 140 whichcause the fluid to flow through the dispensing drawer 141 and into aspill or return conduit 142 which delivers the fluid into container 133.The fluid interface between the atmosphere and the liquid is identifiedby reference numeral 135.

The embodiments of FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 are extremely user friendly. Thatis practically everyone is familiar with the operation of a drawer andthe placement of articles in the drawer. Consequently, a user canperiodically replenish the dispersant material by merely opening adrawer, placing the dispersant material in the drawer and closing thedispensing drawer.

FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of a slidable dispensing drawer 141 foruse in the embodiment of FIG. 18. Dispensing drawer 141 includes a setof lateral extension members 142, 143, 144 and 145 extending upward froma bottom member 147 to form an open top compartment. Bottom member 147has a plurality of openings 147 a therein to permit flow of fluidtherethrough. A front member 149 and a rear member 150 complete thecompartment for holding the dispensing material therein. A handle 153allows one to pull dispensing drawer from the fluid system housing 130much like one opens a conventional sliding drawer. Once dispensingdrawer 149 is open, the user can place dispensable materiel in thedispensing drawer 141 much like one places an article in a drawer. Inorder to prevent withdrawal of the dispensing drawer when the pump isoperating a limit switch (not shown) can be connected to the drawer sothat when the drawer is pulled outward the power to the pump 131 is shutoff thereby prevent flow of fluid into the dispensing drawer or a bypasscan be used to divert the fluid back into the container

FIG. 20 shows an example of a type of dispensing cartridge 156 that canbe used with the present invention. Cartridge 156 includes a set ofopenings 157 to permit fluid access to the contents 158 therein, whichcan typically be an ion yielding material such as silver chloride or thelike.

FIG. 21 shows that other dispensable materials such as a solid brominestick 160 can be placed in the dispensing drawer 150.

FIG. 22 shows the sectional view taken along lines 5—5 to show thecompartments 161, 162 and 163 located behind front panel 149 to show thecompartments with the upright extension for confining the dispensablematerial. therein.

Thus the dispensing drawers of FIGS. 15–22 disclose a user friendlymethod of adding dispersant to a fluid system such as a hot tub, spa,jetted bath tub, swimming pool or the like wherein the user merely pullsout a drawer and drops the dispersant into the drawer and then closesthe drawer. In one embodiment the drawer can be placed in thepressurized fluid circulation system without shutting down the systemand in the other embodiment the system can be automatically shut down asthe drawer is opened to prevent fluid from escaping.

FIG. 23 shows a partial sectional view of an alternate embodiment of adispensing member for use in fluid systems including spas, hot tubs,jetted bath tubs swimming pools and the like. In the embodiment shownthe system 170 includes a container 171 with a fluid 169 therein. Thefluid is directed upward through conduit 172 into a funnel shaped member174 that directs the fluid through a porous member 173 that permitsfluid to flow therethrough but prevents the dispensing material 166,167, and 168 from falling through. In operation of the system 170 thefluid flows upward like a fountain and flows gently around or throughthe dispersant to bring the dispersant into the body of fluid. The pathof the fluid is indicted by the arrows.

In the embodiment shown a cover 176 is hinged over the top of thefountain like dispenser to isolate the dispensing unit form contact.However, in an alternate embodiment the cover 176 need not be used toenable the dispersant to be readily accessible. In this embodiment onecan readily observe the condition of dispersant in the system and canreplenish the dispersant when the dispersant is spent or in a lowcondition.

Thus, the embodiment of FIG. 23 includes a method of replenishing adispersant in a spa, hot tub, jetted bath tub or pool therein comprisingthe steps of directing a liquid through a fountain with a tray 173having a spill chute 173 a for returning the liquid to a body ofrecreation liquid 169 under the influence of gravity; and placing afresh charge of dispersant such as dispersant 166, in the tray 173 toallow the liquid to flow over the charge of dispersant 166, 167 or 168to thereby carry the dispersant into the body of recreational liquid169.

FIG. 24 and FIG. 25 show hanging dispenser 200 comprising a supportmember 201 having a top member 201 a with a lip 201 b for engaging aportion 210 such as a side wall of a fluid system. In the embodimentshown the top member 201 a is located above a fluid line such as liquidgas interface 202 with a dispenser housing 203 carried by member 201having a compartment 214 herein for receiving a dispersant materiallocated below the fluid line 202 to permit the fluid in the system tocome into contact with the dispensable material therein.

A pivotal lid 212 can be placed on top of the dispenser housing 202 toenable a user to quickly place a dispersing cartridge, bulk dispersantmaterial or dispenser cartridges in the compartment 214 in thedispersant housing.

In the embodiment shown the dispenser housing 203 includes a pluralityof openings 207 therein to permit ingress and egress of fluidtherethrough. The dispenser housing is shown in FIG. 24 with twodispensing cartridges 205, 206 located in the compartment 214 inhousing. An example of a dispensing cartridge 205 or 206 is thedispensing article 40 shown in FIG. 1.

In operation of the hanging dispenser of the top member 201 a extendslaterally from member 201 to engage a ledge 210 a on a fluid containerin the system with the top member 201 a including a ridge or lip 201 bto prevent the top member 201 a from accidentally slipping off the ledge210 a.

Thus the present invention includes the method of replenishing adispersant in a spa, hot tub, jetted bath tub or pool thereincomprising: removing a cover located above a water line in a containerof recreational water; placing a charge of dispersant in a liquid line;and placing the cover on the liquid line to thereby enable thedispersant to be delivered to the recreational water in the container torender the recreational water suitable for body immersion.

The present invention also includes the method of replenishing adispersant in a spa, hot tub, jetted bath tub or pool therein comprisingsliding a drawer having an open chamber normally positioned in a liquidmedia at least partially out of a drawer housing located in a fluidcirculation system; placing a fresh charge of dispersant in the drawer;and closing the drawer to permit the dispersant to be carried into theliquid media.

1. A fluid system; a fluid circulation system having an inlet and anoutlet; a housing have a chamber therein; a dispensing drawer mounted inthe chamber in said housing, said dispensing drawer movable from aclosed condition to an open condition and vice versa, said dispensingdrawing having a dispensing compartment for holding a dispensablematerial; and a sealing member for maintaining the dispensing drawer andthe housing in a sealed condition to prevent fluid flow therepast whenthe dispensing drawer is in an open condition to enable a charge ofdispensable material to be placed in the dispensing compartment when thedispensing drawer is in the open condition and then carried into thehousing to bring the dispensing drawer to a closed condition wherein thedispensable material therein can be dispensed into the fluid circulationsystem.
 2. The fluid system of claim 1 wherein the sealing membercomprises an elastomer.
 3. The fluid system of claim 1 wherein thedispensing drawer includes a one way valve to prevent backflow throughthe dispensing drawer.
 4. The fluid system of claim 3 wherein theone-way valve comprises a flap valve.
 5. The fluid system of claim 1wherein the dispensable material includes a halogen.
 6. The fluid systemof claim 1 wherein the dispensing drawer is located below a liquid gasinterface line.
 7. The fluid system of claim 1 wherein the dispensingdrawer contains an ion yielding material.
 8. The fluid system of claim 7wherein the ion yielding material is silver chloride.
 9. The fluidsystem of claim 1 including a handle on the dispensing drawer and thedispensing drawer is slideably mounted in a horizontal condition in thehousing.